Diamonds

The purity of a diamond is measured in carats, which refers to its weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. This measurement does not represent the quality or clarity of the diamond, but rather its size.

No, a simulant diamond is not a real diamond. It is a material that mimics the appearance of a diamond but is not made of the same physical and chemical properties as a natural diamond.

Diamonds sparkle due to their high refractive index and ability to reflect and refract light. When light enters a diamond, it is bent and dispersed, creating a sparkling effect known as "fire" within the stone. This play of light is enhanced by the precise cutting and polishing of the diamond's facets.

You can verify if a diamond is real by performing a few simple tests. One common method is the fog test, where you breathe on the diamond to see if it fogs up (real diamonds disperse heat quickly so they don't fog up). You can also use a loupe to look for imperfections or a jeweler's tool called a diamond tester to measure the thermal conductivity of the stone.

"IMP1 Diamond" is a synthetic diamond material created through a process known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD). It exhibits excellent thermal conductivity and hardness properties, making it ideal for use in a variety of industrial applications such as cutting tools and heat sinks.

Yes, it is common for real diamonds to be set in gold plated settings. This can allow for a more affordable option while still maintaining the look of a gold setting for the diamond. However, the plating may wear off over time and need to be redone.

A simulated diamond is a man-made stone that is designed to look like a real diamond, but does not possess the same properties or value. Simulated diamonds are typically made from materials such as cubic zirconia or moissanite and are often used as a more affordable alternative to natural diamonds.

No, chocolate diamonds are not man-made. They are a natural variety of diamond that get their distinct brown color from the presence of nitrogen during their formation process. They are also known as champagne or cognac diamonds.

The first stage of a diamond is its formation deep within the Earth's mantle, where carbon atoms are subjected to high pressure and temperature over millions of years. This process transforms the carbon into diamond crystals through a combination of heat and pressure.

Chocolate diamonds are natural diamonds with a brown color caused by the presence of nitrogen impurities. The intense brown color is enhanced through heat treatments, which further intensify the color and improve the diamond's appearance. These treated brown diamonds are marketed as "chocolate diamonds" for their unique color.

Diamond is made up of carbon atoms arranged in a unique crystal lattice structure.

Diamond-tipped tools are used to cut glass, because diamond is the hardest mineral. Cutting glass plates requires a score line, long which pressure is applied to separate the pieces of glass into the desired dimensions.

Yes, there are a few minerals that are stronger than diamond. Wurtzite boron nitride and lonsdaleite are both harder than diamond on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. However, these minerals are very rare and not commonly found in nature.

If the diamond has natural fluorescence -- about 60% of diamonds do -- then, yes, it will glow under black light.

Yes, diamond is harder than any metal. Diamond is the hardest natural material known, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, while metals generally rank much lower on the scale.

Yes, a real diamond can be broken or chipped if subjected to enough force or impact. While diamonds are one of the hardest materials, they can still be damaged if hit at the right angle with enough force. Regular wear and tear or accidental impacts can also cause a diamond to chip or break.

Diamonds are extremely resistant to heat and will not burn in a typical house fire. They have a high melting point of around 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much higher than the temperature reached in a house fire. However, diamonds can be damaged by prolonged exposure to intense heat or sudden temperature changes.

Diamond Nexus offers both synthetic diamonds(made with pure carbon) as well as diamond simulants that are not made with pure carbon, but are nearly identical to a natural diamond besides having different elements. The pure carbon gems are only available in a canary color though.

No one can judge 'good' for you: that's a personal decision.

F colour on a diamond is toward the high-end of the desirable colour scale -- D colour being the highest grade in that category.

SI1 means that there is one Significant Inclusion in the stone -- Flawless or Internally Flawless being the highest grade in the clarity category.

You do not indicate the carat weight or the cut, both of which will help you evaluate 'good' on your own scale.

For an investment-quality diamond, unless the stone is more than about three carats, its clarity rating can diminish its value. Buying this diamond from a retailer may mean that you will never recover your original cost, since diamond retailers usually mark up diamonds in the 300% range.

Black diamonds, also known as carbonados, are composed of carbon atoms, just like traditional diamonds. However, black diamonds contain abundant inclusions and graphite, which give them their distinctive dark color. They are more porous and polycrystalline in structure compared to regular diamonds.

Rough diamonds are typically assessed by professional gemologists using a variety of techniques including visual examination, measuring weight, assessing color, clarity, and determining potential cut options. Additionally, advanced tools like microscopes and specialized equipment are used to determine the diamond's internal characteristics and potential value.

'Better' is subjective and must be based on your own criteria for purchasing a diamond.

Lab-made diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds, and that may be 'better' for some buyers.

Brown diamonds are the most common of coloured diamonds found. Chocolate is simply the name of one of the shades of natural brown diamonds.

Lab-created diamonds are generally 'white' diamonds.

You can test a diamond at home using a few methods. The first is the fog test - breathe on the diamond, and if it clears quickly, it's likely real. You can also try the transparency test by placing the diamond over a newspaper, if you can't see the text through the diamond, it's likely real. Lastly, you can use a diamond tester that measures thermal conductivity to determine if the diamond is real.

From Wikipedia:

"The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the crystal lattice."

You can read more about what impurities and defects cause which colours, below.